Controversial device.



No. 644,066. Patented Feb. 27, I900.

E.'DUNN.

CON-TROVERSIAL DEVICE.

(Application filed May 24, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD DUNN, OF W'ATERVLIET, NElV YORK.

CONTROVERSIAL DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 644,066, dated February 27, 1900.

Application filed May 24., 1899. Serial No. 717,994. (No model.)

ing drawings, and the numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts in the several figures.

Figure l of the drawings is a face view of my controversial device as the same appears at the beginning of its operation. Figs. 2 and 3 are similar views showing the same in successive steps of operation. Fig. 4.. is a side View of the same. Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the same, taken on the broken line 5 5 in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken transversely of the cylindrical case, on the broken line 6 6 in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a similar section on the line 7 7 in Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a similar view taken on the line 8 8 in Fig. 5.

My invention comprises a device for expressing in a novel and entertaining manner partiality for or against one or more of the parties to a political, sporting, or other controversy.

For the purpose of explanation I have shown the device adapted for apolitical controversy in which there are two rival candidates for office, as Smith and Jones. In such a case I mount a small picture of one of these candidates, as Smith, upon an inner diaphragm 1, contained within the case 2 of the device, as shown at 3, and a similar small picture of the other candidate, as Jones, upon the same diaphragm a short distance from Smiths picture, as shown at 4.. The case is provided with an outer diaphragm 5, which is provided with one or more apertures 6, adapted to expose to View therethrough both pictures on the inner diaphragm. Interposed between these diaphragms is a disk 7, which is rotatively supported and which is provided with a plurality of apertures 8,

9, and 10, alternating with closed portions of the disk. As shown in the drawings, the two pictures of candidates on the inner diaphragm occupy an angular space of about one third of the diaphragm, the aperture 6 in the outer diaphragm occupying a similar space, while the disk 7 is provided with a closed portion 11, comprising about one-third thereof, another third being occupied by the two apertures 8 and 9 and the. closed space 12 between them, and the remaining third of the disk is occupied by the aperture 10 and the closed space 13 at one side of such aperture, as shown in Fig. 6. It will thus be seen that by rotating the disk I can successively expose to view through the aperture in the outer diaphragm 5 the various parts of the disk and that when the apertured portions of the disk are brought opposite the ap erture in such diaphragm one or both of the candidates pictures will be visible through the registering apertures in the outer diaphragm and disk.

In carrying out the purpose of my invention I preferably provide the closed portions of the disk with Words referring to the subject of the controversy and to the candidates or parties thereto. I have thus shown the closed portion 11 of the disk bearing the words, Who will win 9, the closed portion 12 between the apertures 8 and 9 bearing the word Or, and the closed portion 13 at one side of the aperture 10 bearing the words WVill win. By imparting to the disk suc cessive movements each comprising a onethird rotation I am able by means of the device to present the following expressions, the names of the respective candidates being inferred from their pictures as the same are exposed to View: 7110 will win? Smith or Jones? Smith will win. Should the party manipulating the device favor Jones as a candidate, he can make the device express his favoritism by transposing the candidates pictures upon the inner diaphragm.

It is obvious that the names of the candidates can be placed upon the innerdiaphragm in place of the respective pictures, if desired; but the pictorial feature adds to the attractiveness of the device. It will also be apparent that names, pictures, or colors of competing horses, colleges, boat-crews, base-ball nines, &c., may be substituted for the pictures shown.

As a means for operating the rotary disk to produce the successive effects above described, I fix the disk upon a shaft or spindle 14, upon which is also fixed the ratchet 15, adapted to be engaged and operated by the pawl 16, which passes through and operates in a slot formed in the side wall of the case. The projecting end of the pawl may be operated by the hand or may be provided with a cord 17, as shown, whereby the pawl may be moved through an approximate onethird revolution. The pawl is held in engagement with the ratchet-teeth by means of the coil-spring 1S and is returned to its initial position when released by means of the spring 19. successively pulling upon and releasing the string or cord 17 will thus cause the disk to be rotated intermittently from one to the other of the positions shown in the drawings.

Any known mechanism may be employed for operating the disk.

The device is adapted to be held in the hand, or may be provided with a loop or eye 21, whereby it may be hung upon a watchchain or supported in any known manner.

Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a controversial device, the combination with an inclosing case having inner and outer, relatively-fixed diaphragms, said inner diaphragm bearing upon a field opposing controversial characters, and said outer diaphragm having an aperture registering with and adapted to expose to view all of the field of the inner diaphragm occupied by said characters; of a rotary disk interposed between said fixed diaphragms and having a plurality of portions adapted to register successively with said aperture in said outer diaphragm and at the same time with the field of the inner diaphragm bearing said characters, said portions of the rotary disk bearing words referring to the subject of the controversy, and

one of said portions of the rotary disk being apertured to expose to view one only of said characters, and another of said portions of the disk having one or more apertures adapted to simultaneously expose to view both of said characters when the respective portions of the disk are brought into'registry with the aperture in the outer diaphragm; and mechanism for rotating said disk, whereby words on said disk and the characters on said inner diaphragm may be simultaneously exposed to view through the aperture in said outer diaphragm in connected relation with each other, substantially as described.

2. In a controversial device, the combination with a case having a cover, and an illner and outer diaphragm supported in fixed relation to each other, said inner diaphragmbearing on a field controversial characters, and said outer diaphragm having an aperture registering with all of said field occupied by said characters; of a rotary disk interposed between said diaphragms and having a plurality of portions adapted to successively register with said aperture in said outer diaphragm and at the same time with the field on the inner diaphragm bearing said characters, said portions of the disk bearing words referring to the subject of the controversy and having apertures adapted to expose to view said controversial characters in connection with said words through the aperture in the outer diaphragm; a spindle connected with said disk projected through the inner diaphragm; and mechanism for rotating said spindle contained in the space between said inner diaphragm and cover, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of May, 1899.

EDWARD DUNN.

\Vitnesses:

FRANK O. CURTIS, D. S. ORFEIL. 

